The Perfect Misfit #3: Chapter 23 & 24 Pg 97 - Page 14

'Dad do I really have to come, I have so much to do here, and I only have a week before I start the new academic year' Karan tried to reason with his father but to no avail, he had asked Karan to return home for the inauguration of their new office in Delhi and also so he could be a part of their high socialite gathering that was going to take place. Karan disconnected the phone in frustration he hated being a part of his father artificial high life, everyone he knew was filled with arrogance, like being an elite part of society gave them the right to pass judgment and ridicule others who did not match their prestigious way of life.

When it came to Karan he was very much like his mother, being married to Vikram Oberoi was not easy but she played the part well but she never succumbed to his life style. The was no doubt she lived a luxury life but she maintained simplicity. She regarded everyone as an equal, she had a heart of gold, someone who did all she could for those who were disadvantaged, she managed a number of NGOs. Although her charity work never went down well with her husband Avantika Oberoi continued to do what she believed in, and Karan was very much like her, which is why he never was the spoilt rich kid.

Karan started packing his bag, his father had booked him a flight for the following morning, he had also booked one for Zack and Indu. Karan came out of his room at the same time Aliza and Zack came in after having spent the afternoon together. 'Zack did dad call you?' 'No actually it was mum, and she said no backing out...Have you packed?' Karan rolled his eyes 'what is their problem they know I hate being part of their stupidness' Zack went and stood by him 'Karan its only for a few days and you know what dad is like, the only thing is that Indu is coming with us so all I am going to say is that whatever has been going on between you two you need to put on a back burner...if nothing at least for mum, you know how sensitive she is'. Karan knew what Zack was saying was right he would do anything for his mum.

In the evening Zoya came home from the hospital, she had stayed back late to observe a couple of surgeries. By the time she got in she was too tired to do anything, she decided to take a shower and call it a day. As she got ready to go to bed she heard a knock at her door 'Zoya it's me can I come in' Karan asked 'Zoya quickly got up and wrapped a scarf around her 'yeah come in Karan...hey what's up?' she said as he walked towards her. 'I just wanted to tell you that me and Zack are flying out to Delhi tomorrow for a few days, something that we have to attend for dad' 'oh, so suddenly, how long will you be gone for?' she asked not being able to conceal her sadness 'I will be back before the end of the week, I tried to get out of it but dad was not taking no for an answer so, me Zack and Indu are going tomorrow'.

Zoya shot her head up at hearing her name 'In..Indu' 'yeah, she is as much part of it as we are so she will be coming with us'. Not wanting to give much away Zoya just smiled, she could almost feel a lump developing in her throat, but what she failed to understand was whether it was because she wasn't going to be seeing him for the next few days or was it because he was going to be away from her with Indu. 'Well I suppose I will see you when you get back, hope you have a good flight' as Karan was about to say something back to her his phone started to ring it was Indu 'one sec' he said as he answered the phone 'hi Indu...yeah dad told me...no me and Zack will meet you at the airport...ok see you in the morning' as he finished speaking to her he turned around to face Zoya who was looking to the floor he walked up to her and placed his hand on her shoulder 'you ok?' Zoya smiled 'yeah why wouldn't I be?...actually I have had a long day and am quite tired, I'll catch you before you leave in the morning' Karan nodded and left her as soon as he walked out Zoya slumped herself on the bed she placed her hand over her heart which seemed to have picked a few extra beats.

Aliza hugged Zack for the umpteenth time, he cupped her face and placed a soft kiss on her lips 'I'll see you soon' he said as he picked up his bag and walked out to meet Karan in the living room. 'You all set?' he asked 'yup all ready to go' they quickly said their goodbyes to Kiran and Rohan, Zack went to hug Zoya 'don't worry sis we will be back before you know it...and can you take of...' Zoya held his hand and squeezed it not letting him finish 'do you really need to ask? You guys go and have fun we will be ok and we have Rohan here to look after us too' she said reassuringly, Zack started to laugh 'actually I have more faith in Kiran' he joked 'ha ha very funny...not Zack...now get out of here' Rohan spat at him whilst Kiran tried to control her laughter. Zoya looked at Karan and smiled 'see you soon' she said and waved to him at a distance as they left.

As soon as they had settled into their rooms Karan, Indu and Zack met Avantika and Indu's mum downstairs for dinner. Half way through Karan's dad came in with Indu's father they way that he met his son was always very formal a gentle hand shake and a tap on the shoulder was as close as they got. After dinner they indulged in light conversation catching up on their kids, Indu didn't miss any opportunity to make a jibe at Karan for not allowing her to share his apartment; he could see the disappointment on her mother's face but chose to ignore it. Karan and Zack decided to go out in the evening the talk of business bore them stiff and they were in no mood to engage in female chatter either.

Indu sat next to Karan's dad, she always shared a close relationship with him, Vickram put his arm around her 'how is my little doctor doing? I hope Karan looks after you' Indu smiled 'of course he does, when he can...but...' 'but what sweetheart?' he asked straightening up 'I don't know I feel like we are growing apart, he has changed a lot and a lot of it is because of his new found friends...it scares me uncle, you know how I feel about him' Indu had always been up front about her feelings for Karan and everyone was aware of it. Vickram looked at Indu and then at her parents 'well Indu you have nothing to worry about, Karan will only ever be yours and that I promise' Avantika looked at her husband 'Vi...Vickram...don't you think this is a conversation that needs to involve Karan, I mean making a prom...' Vickram held out his hand to stop her 'Karan will do as I say I know he will not refuse...I think that after the inauguration we can make it a little more official...what do you think?' Vickram looked towards Indu's parents for their nod of approval 'right that's settled then' Indu jumped in her seat and then hugged Vickram 'thank you so much uncle'.

Avantika had asked Karan to meet with her after breakfast she needed to tell him about what had transpired the night before; she knew that Karan did not feel the same way and that he was not going to go without a fight. 'Are you for real mum, no way, you know I can't' he stood up with anger taking over 'Karan I know beta but you knew this was coming there have always spoken of this alliance...' 'And I have always maintained that I do not want any part of it. Mum I won't let it happen it's my life, do I not have the right to choose who I want to spend it with?' 'You do Karan and you know I don't want this any more than you do but you also know that your father won't back out of this' 'well this time mum he is going to have to'.

Karan walked out the room shaking in anger he slammed his bedroom door making Zack jump 'what the hell happened to you?' Karan told Zack what his mum had just told him 'you know what I don't get is that Indu knows exactly how you feel and that you don't want this so why does she not say anything why is she going along with it?' 'I don't know Zack this whole thing is going to drive me crazy, anyhow dad announces our engagement on Wednesday I am going to hit the war path...and I know talking to Indu won't help the girl is as mad as the rest of them'.

Zack tried to calm him down, they needed to come up with a plan to buy them some time 'ok do this, speak to Indu and tell her that you are not saying no but you just need time, put your studies as the main reason, that they take priority you both have a few more years until you finish and her course is a lot longer than ours...' 'Zack I can't do that, I am saying NO how can I pretend not to, I can't lie I can't make her carry on thinking I will eventually say yes' Karan was right but at this moment in time this was all they had to go with. 'Karan once they back off for a while you will have all the time you need to talk her out of it, to make her see that this is not what you want and it is not right, I mean what kind of a relationship will it be anyway?' Karan nodded reluctantly he decided to talk to Indu just before the inauguration.

'But why, what difference will it make, it's not as if we are getting married, it's just an engagement' Indu tried to make him see her point of view. 'Indu think about it you really want to drag an engagement on for the next 5 years, and we are too young to settle down, I am not saying no Indu..' Karan cringed as he spoke he couldn't believe he was lying so blatantly '...all I am asking for is more time' 'I don't know Karan, things have changed so much between us and with that Zoya you seem to have pushed me aside' Karan clenched his fist 'don't bring her into this Indu it has nothing to do with her' he said using all his effort not to lose his temper. 'Fine on one condition I will back out, you let me move in with you' Karan eyes widened with disbelief 'what? Indu where will you stay there is no room..' not wanting to hear anything else Indu raised her hand 'take it or leave it Karan, I don't care what you have to do or how you do it, when we get back to Mumbai I am moving in...if you agree then I will ask uncle to hold off until further notice'.

Karan was fuming he knew exactly what she wanted him to do and that was to get Zoya to move out, but how would he? He couldn't, it wasn't just the fact that it would be totally unfair and bang out of order but he knew that he himself wouldn't be able to let her go, Zoya had become and integral part of his life and he couldn't give up on her. He needed to think of something to do something where everyone would emerge as a winner 'fine but you will need to give me a few days before you move in I need to sort something's out'. Indu smiled 'good, well I will speak to uncle and my parents and convince them otherwise'.

Zack couldn't believe what Karan was telling him 'Karan I swear if you even think about it I won't forgive you, Zoya doesn't deserve this' Karan looked away if only Zack could understand the turmoil he was in, he felt like his insides were being slashed 'you think I don't know that Zack...it was your idea to talk to her and how was I supposed to know she will put down a condition such as this one...look I really can't think right now, we will sort this out once we get back to Mumbai'.

The inauguration and after party went very well, Karan behaved himself playing the part of Vickram Oberoi's only son to perfection. Indu dressed as any spoilt rich child would she made her presence known by acting as arrogantly as she could, she made a point of latching on to Karan and following him everywhere he went. Karan couldn't thank the powers above enough when the day came to an end; they were finally going to go back home, but what waited for him there was just another storm.

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